Snowflake Lane Inn

by L.P. Dover

Genres: Holiday books; Small Town & Rural; Clean & Wholesome Romance; Contemporary Romance; Holiday Romance

Synopsis

A sweet festive novella from New York Times bestselling author L. P. Dover.

What could a small-town innkeeper and an internationally successful fashion designer have in common? Sometimes it doesn't matter, as long as the heart is all in . . .

Layla Aberdeen is looking for an escape. After years as a successful fashion designer, her latest line has been a complete failure and she needs a place to lay low and recover her creative spirit.

Colin Jennings, owner of Snowflake Lane Inn, isn't looking for love. When glamorous Layla rents his house for the Christmas holidays, he doesn't expect them to have much in common but soon he's searching for reasons to spend more time with her. Under the twinkling lights of the festive season this unlikely pair can feel the start of something special . . .

Will they find love together in time for Christmas?

*Originally published in the Christmas With You anthology

Why readers love Snowflake Lane Inn:

'This was a super cute story. Colin is totally delicious!!'

'A sweet festive read from L.P Dover'

'A delightful novella'

'A great quick Christmas read'

'Another amazing story by L. P. that I absolutely love'

Release date: November 14, 2019

Publisher: Piatkus

Print pages: 73

Sample

“Looks like everything’s ready to go,” I said, walking through the house one last time. The place was spotless. But was it good enough for a diva like Layla Aberdeen? Let’s hope so because she has rented it for the next year.

My sister, Brianna, walked in with a basket full of goodies and set it on the table. She was thirteen years younger than me. Sometimes it felt like I was her father instead of her brother. For the past ten years, I guess you could say I was. Our father died of lung cancer, and I was the one who had to help take care of her.

Her dark brown hair was in curls down her back, and she was dressed up as if she was going to a dance club. I looked at her like she’d lost her mind. “What are you doing?”

Grinning sheepishly, she rearranged the chocolates and the bottle of wine. “It’s a basket for Layla.” Brianna was a twenty-three-year-old college student who loved anything about fashion, even though she was going to school to be a nurse. Guess it didn’t really surprise me that she wanted to make an impression on Layla Aberdeen.

“Since when do we do that?” I asked.

She waved me off. “Since now. One of the top designers in the world is coming to stay here. I can’t wait to meet her. What time did she say she was coming into town?”

I hadn’t personally spoken to Layla, but my real estate agent had. “Jane told me two o’clock. She’s going to meet Ms. Aberdeen then. Is that why you’re all dressed like …” I waved my hand down her body. “Like that?” She had on a silver sparkly top that hung off her shoulders along with a pair of jeans and heels. Not exactly something you see a lot of people wearing in the winter.

Brianna looked down at her clothes and then glared at me. “Seriously? You’re so clueless. These are Layla’s designs.” She bounced on her feet. “I wish I could be here to welcome her. Think I can maybe hang around and casually stop by when she shows up?”

Grabbing the keys off the counter, I nodded toward the door. “That’s a bad idea. You’re bound to see her around town. Just don’t get your hopes up. She looks like she’d be a …”

“Colin,” she shrieked, “you don’t know her.”

I shrugged and followed her out the door, walking close so I could catch her if she slipped on the snow. The air was cold and crisp, a perfect December day with clear blue skies. It wouldn’t be that way for long. We had a snowstorm brewing that’d hit us by the end of the night. “She’s probably like every other Hollywood celebrity. Full of herself and obsessed with money.”

Brianna shook her head. “I don’t think Layla’s like that. She was devastated when her last line didn’t do well. Honestly, I think it’s a good idea she’s coming here. She has to be under a lot of pressure.”

We got in my truck and headed down the road. “Maybe so, but I don’t want you bothering her, Bri.”

She huffed and focused her attention at the window. “Fine. But you’re shattering my dreams, brother.”

I burst out laughing. “You’ll get over it. I’m going to go ahead and drop you off at the inn. Mom’s waiting for you. I have some things I need to pick up in town.”

“Okay.”

The Snowflake Lane Inn was one of the top-rated inns in all of Friendship. After my grandmother died, she left it to me in her will. It was supposed to go to my father, but since he died before she did, she passed it down to me. I intended to keep her legacy alive by keeping it the way she always wanted it. We turned onto Snowflake Lane, the gravel kicking up underneath my truck. The road was lined with magnolia trees, all decked out in soft white lights, and the white fence was draped in garland. It was exactly how it’d been decorated for decades at Christmastime.

Our mother was on the front porch with the town mayor, George Lingerfelt, when we pulled up. Brianna hopped out of the truck and said hello to George as he made his way down to me. I lowered my window and held out my hand. “Mayor Lingerfelt,” I said as he shook my hand, “what brings you by this morning?”

“I came to see you. Is everything ready for the tree lighting tomorrow?” George was in his late forties, short and a little plump in the middle, with salt and pepper hair.

I nodded. “I wired everything up first thing this morning. You should be good to go.”

His smile widened. “Excellent. Will I see you there?”

“Of course, I wouldn’t miss it. But right now, I need to run into town. I’ll see you tomorrow.” I waved at my mother and headed back down the road. Everywhere you looked, everything was decorated for Christmas. We had tourists who came up here just to experience the lights. It was what kept Snowflake Inn one of the best places to stay during the holidays. We get booked a year in advance.

Once I reached Main Street, I parked behind the general store and walked around to the front. The best coffee shop in town was right beside it, and sitting on the bench out front was a man I’d never seen before. By the old, filthy clothes and skin, I’d almost say he was homeless, not exactly something that was common in our little town. We all knew each other, but I didn’t recognize him at all.

“Good morning,” I called out, approaching him slowly. The man looked up at me and smiled, his face slightly wrinkled and smudged with dirt. His dark brown hair was hidden underneath a black cap and he had crystal blue eyes. He stood, and I shook his hand. “It’s a little chilly this morning, don’t you think?”

He blew out a breath and rubbed his hands together. “It is. I smell snow too. I think we’re goin. . .